Alan Garcia to winter in New York

After spending the last two winters riding in Saudi Arabia, jockey Alan Garcia is back in New York, hoping to rekindle some success of winters past.

Garcia, 31, last wintered in New York five years ago, when he won 46 races over the inner track, finishing sixth in the rider standings. In 2007-08, Garcia won 80 races, second only to Ramon Dominguez. Later that year, Garcia won the Belmont Stakes aboard Da’ Tara, the day Big Brown was trying to complete the Triple Crown.

Garcia said he had the opportunity to ride in Saudi Arabia again this winter but didn’t want to be away from his wife and the couple’s three children, who live in Florida. He opted to ride at Aqueduct because he felt this was “a better opportunity to ride more horses,” he said.

Garcia rode six horses at the main-track meet. With the racing office struggling to fill races, it could be a slow start to the winter for Garcia, who was named on just one horse over the first three racing days.

Garcia said he received a warm reception from horsemen whom he contacted before deciding to come here. He said he would likely return to Woodbine when the track opens in April.

Garcia is being represented in New York by Jim Riccio Jr., who also handles the book of Jose Ortiz.